Apparatus for producing illusory dramatic effects



(No Model.)

J. W. KNELL. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EFFECTS.

Patented Apr. 4,1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES V. KNELL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EFFECTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,007, dated April 4, 1882.

Application filed March 22, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. KNELL, of the city of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement pertaining to an Apparatus for Producing Illusory Dramatic Effects, whereof the following is a description. reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which is a front view of the parts embodying my said invention.

The object of the invention is the production on the theatrical stage of the appearance of a person, animal, or vehicle, any or all of these, traveling along a road, course, or path of considerable length.

The letter (t denotes a panoramic scene, by which is meant a scene capable of being moved along lengthwise, so as to successively bring into view of the audience the difi'erent pictures or representations borne thereon. A preferable mode of constructing this panoramic scene is to paint it upon canvas, which, being first rolled upon the roll I), is gradually unrolled therefrom and rolled upon the roll c-a method of itself common and requiring no elaborate mention.

The letterddenotes an endless beltor path suchin general as is used in horse-powers-made sufliciently strong to bear the weight that is designed to be put upon it, and hung in a suitable frame, 6, which rests upon the stage-floor.

The letterf denotes a screen (a part thereof being broken away in the drawing) bearing some appropriate representation-as, for instance, a stone wall-to hide the endless path from the sight of the audience. In many theaters it is quite practicable to sink the endless path so that its top will be flush with the stagefloor, and in such case no specially-made screen Renewed March 8, 1882.

(N0 model.)

The letterz' denotes a stay, cord, or chain run- 5 ning from the vehicle to the stage or some appurtenance thereof, to prevent the vehicle from moving forward when the horse walks. It is of course to be understood that in actual use this cord'or its substitute is put as well out of sight as is conveniently possible. When the horse is started up he will continue to walk, and the wheels of the vehicle will continue to revolve, but neither will move forward; both will remain stationary. At the same time the panoramic scene is moved along in the direction opposite to that in which the horse is faced, and the whole will produce a very good appearance of horse, vehicle, and occupant traveling along past the objects depicted on the canvas.

The idea or principle of this apparatus is obviously susceptible of agreat many adaptations and modifications.

It is of course to be understood that this apparatus is designed to be put upon the theatrical stage with the usual accessions ofoverhead curtains, side wings, and the like.

The motionof the endless path can be made to give the movement to the panoramic screen through suitable intermediate means.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the panoramic scene a and the endless path d, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the panoramic scene a, the endless path d, and the screen f, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the panoramic scene a, endless path cl, vehicle h, and stay i, substantiallyas described, and for the purpose set forth.

JAMES WM. KNELL.

Witnesses:

SoUTHRIoK E. HEBBERD, J. H. HAVERLY, GEO. W. STODDART. 

